On March 4, 2020, Germany issued a ban on the export of medical protection gear and equipment to avoid supply shortages.  The official communication in German can be found on the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) website.  The list of goods that are currently prohibited can be found here on the Executive Order released on March 4, 2020 by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Several other countries have issued bans on exports of masks and other protective gear.  India initially prohibited all protective gear, but has amended the notice to allow for exports of certain items including surgical masks.  Taiwan and the Czech Republic have both issued export bans on masks; and Russia and Italy have also banned the export of all protective gear.